“Is he weaker? Thinner?” asked the princess.

“No, it’s not that, but worse. You will see. O, Márya, he is too good, he cannot, cannot live, because⁠ ⁠…”

When Natásha opened Prince Andréy’s door with a familiar movement and let Princess Márya pass into the room before her, the princess felt the sobs in her throat. Hard as she had tried to prepare herself, and now tried to remain tranquil, she knew that she would be unable to look at him without tears.